Economizer system and method for saving heat and water
First Claim
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1. An economizer system for saving heat and water, comprising:
- a bathing facility for receiving hot water from a water heater through a pipeline;
a first valve for controlling the flow of hot water received by the bathing facility;
a second valve for allowing the flow of an initial volume of cold water existing in the pipeline between the water heater and the bathing facility through a filling line;
a holding tank for collecting the initial volume of cold water flowing from the filling line before the hot water is delivered to the bathing facility;
a pump driven by a motor for pumping back into the pipeline the initial volume of cold water collected in the holding tank through a discharge line, wherein the discharge line is provided with a check valve for allowing the flow of the initial volume of cold water discharged by the pump only in the direction in which the pump discharges; and
a control box having a user interface comprising;
a start button for opening the second valve, allowing the flow of the initial volume of cold water through the filling line until the water level in the holding tank reaches its maximum point; and
a reset button for starting the motor of the pump, allowing the discharge of the initial volume of cold water into the pipeline until the water level in the holding tank reaches its minimum point.
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Abstract
An economizer system and method for saving heat and water, comprising a bathing facility for receiving hot water from a water heater through a pipeline; a first valve for controlling the flow of hot water received by the bathing facility; a second valve for allowing the flow of an initial volume of cold water existing in the pipeline between the water heater and the bathing facility 1 through a filling line; and a holding tank for collecting the initial volume of cold water flowing from the filling line before the hot water is delivered to the bathing facility.
22 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An economizer system for saving heat and water, comprising:
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a bathing facility for receiving hot water from a water heater through a pipeline; a first valve for controlling the flow of hot water received by the bathing facility; a second valve for allowing the flow of an initial volume of cold water existing in the pipeline between the water heater and the bathing facility through a filling line; a holding tank for collecting the initial volume of cold water flowing from the filling line before the hot water is delivered to the bathing facility; a pump driven by a motor for pumping back into the pipeline the initial volume of cold water collected in the holding tank through a discharge line, wherein the discharge line is provided with a check valve for allowing the flow of the initial volume of cold water discharged by the pump only in the direction in which the pump discharges; and a control box having a user interface comprising; a start button for opening the second valve, allowing the flow of the initial volume of cold water through the filling line until the water level in the holding tank reaches its maximum point; and a reset button for starting the motor of the pump, allowing the discharge of the initial volume of cold water into the pipeline until the water level in the holding tank reaches its minimum point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for saving heat and water comprising:
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a) providing a bathing facility for receiving hot water from a water heater through a pipeline; b) having a first valve for controlling the flow of hot water received by the bathing facility shut off; c) opening a second valve for allowing the flow of an initial volume of cold water existing in the pipeline between the water heater and the bathing facility through a filling line; d) collecting in a holding tank the initial volume of cold water flowing from the filling line; and e) opening the first valve for delivering the hot water to the bathing facility, wherein step c) further comprises; c1) pressing a start button for opening the second valve; and c2) signaling a waiting period until the water level in the holding tank reaches its maximum point. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for saving heat and water comprising:
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a) providing a bathing facility for receiving hot water from a water heater through a pipeline; b) having a first valve for controlling the flow of hot water received by the bathing facility shut off; c) opening a second valve for allowing the flow of an initial volume of cold water existing in the pipeline between the water heater and the bathing facility through a filling line; d) collecting in a holding tank the initial volume of cold water flowing from the filling line by; d1) filling up the holding tank; d2) detecting when the water level in the holding tank reaches its maximum point; d3) shutting off the second valve; and d4) signaling that the bathing facility is ready for delivering hot water; and e) opening the first valve for delivering the hot water to the bathing facility. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An economizer system for saving heat and water, comprising:
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a bathing facility for receiving hot water from a water heater through a pipeline; a first valve for controlling the flow of hot water received by the bathing facility; a second valve for allowing the flow of an initial volume of cold water existing in the pipeline between the water heater and the bathing facility through a filling line; a holding tank for collecting the initial volume of cold water flowing from the filling line before the hot water is delivered to the bathing facility; and a pump driven by a motor for pumping back into the pipeline the initial volume of cold water collected in the holding tank through a discharge line, wherein the discharge line is provided with a check valve for allowing the flow of the initial volume of cold water discharged by the pump only in the direction in which the pump discharges, wherein the discharge line is formed by; a first segment extending from the holding tank to the pump; a second segment extending from the pump to the check valve; and a third segment extending from the check valve to the first bifurcation, wherein the pipeline is formed by; a first section extending from the water heater to a first bifurcation; a second section extending from the first bifurcation to a second bifurcation; and a third section extending from the second bifurcation to the first valve.
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Specification